Golan Heights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on December 14, discussing developments in Syria and efforts to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel has no interest in conflict with Syria but seeks to prevent threats from terrorist elements near its border. On the same day, Netanyahu announced plans to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights, a region captured from Syria in 1967. Israel's government approved an $11 million plan to encourage demographic growth in the area. Amid ongoing instability in Syria, Israel sent troops into a long-standing buffer zone and conducted airstrikes on hundreds of military sites. The Israeli incursion was condemned by neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan. Syria's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, rejected Israeli claims and focused on rebuilding his country after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.

Israel hits Syria after rockets fired on Golan Heights

No damage was reported from any of the six rockets launched towards Israel, which Lebanon-Based Al Mayadeen TV said were claimed by Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement.

Israel returns fire on Syrian Golan, may have caused deaths

Israel fired artillery into Syria in response to gunfire aimed at its troops in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, and may have killed Syrian soldiers, Israel's army said on Sunday.